Dr Hannelie Nel

Dr Hannelie Nel is Director of Tennelli Industries (Pty) Ltd, a company that focuses on innovation in engineering, technology and education. She also serves as Visiting Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering at North-West University, and as Academic in the Postgraduate School of Engineering Management at the University of Johannesburg.

She holds a Doctorate in Engineering Management, a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering and a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering. She has twenty years’ experience in both industry and academia and her work entails business and education strategy development; the design, implementation and costing of business and quality management systems; training and education; business research systems; process improvement; and gender advancement in engineering.

Dr Nel is the former President and current Fellow of the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, and serves on the Board of the South African Society for Engineering Education, and formerly the MCTS at the University of Johannesburg. She is an international author and speaker in her field of expertise and has published two books and several academic papers to date. Notably her book titled Leadership and Agency by Women Engineers in South Africa was published in 2015. Dr Nel works with international companies and universities and is an associate member of the Institute of Directors. In 2014 she was recognized as Finalist in the Standard Bank Top Business Women Awards; and in 2016 she was invited to join the International Women’s Forum in recognition of her work towards the advancement of technical women. Other related awards include the 2013 WiEBE Award for Outstanding Contribution to Women in Engineering; the 2011 IEEE WIE Award for Human Capital Development in Science, Engineering and Technology; and two SAIIE awards for the promotion of industry and academia liaison. A selection of her work can be viewed at www.hannelienel.co.za and her company profile is available at www.tennelli.com. In 2017 she was nominated for the prestigious Professor Kris Adendorff Award for outstanding Industrial Engineering professional by the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering.